The Daughter Extraction

Back on track

•ALEC•

I kept pushing myself beyond my limits. I couldn't help myself, it's what my body was programmed to do.

Even though I've already done more than enough push-ups and my arms are wobbling and stressed out due to exhaustion, I kept pressing myself for more.

Till I lost grasp of my breath and my chest and arms couldn't take it anymore.

My body instantly collapsed against the cool tiled floor and I quickly turned over to lie on my back instead. I started to laugh at myself.

Even though I've gone over the limit again today, there's this annoying little shit feeling inside that always loves to pop by and make me feel like I haven't done enough yet.

Just like how I hadn't done enough to save that woman and her 6-year-old daughter

A vivid image of their smiling faces immediately flashed in my mind and the corners of my eyes started to sting just as the guilt in my chest intensified.

I sat up straight and clenched my fists tightly while my jaw locked. My heart rate accelerated and it wasn't because of the adrenaline from working out anymore.

I was on the brink of losing my control again.

I closed my eyes and drew in a few deep breaths, till everything started to slow down and I could feel myself slipping into calmness again.

But my moment of relief was short-lived when I heard cars pulling up the driveway outside my house.

Nobody knew my location and I've been living well off the grip for quite some time now, which means I was untraceable to the outside world.

So cars unexpectedly pulling up outside my house at this time of the day were not fucking neighbors from the other side of town, here to give welcoming pies and casserole shit.

This means threat

I jumped up from my sitting position on the floor and slowly crept towards the window. I pulled aside the curtains to take a peak and found two familiar black cars parked right outside.

I leaned away from the window, confusion taking over me for a second before I decided to look again. The number plates were too far for me to make out yet I still recognized the CIA autoplex vehicles anyway.

How? Because I used to drive one exactly like that.

My suspicions were confirmed when I saw the two people that stepped out of the cars. I immediately relaxed upon recognizing them yet annoyance still fills inside me when seeing their faces.

"Fuck." I cursed under my breath before walking across the room to get outside.

I roughly swung the door open and stepped out to the porch while raising my hands in disbelief.

"What the fuck? I thought I left pretty clear instructions that I do not want to be found."

Martin grins back at me while waving hello.

"Good to see you too, boss."

"Yeah, you look great," Blair added and I caught her gaze lingering on my exposed torso before meeting my eyes again.

"Gee, thanks. Now get off my fucking property."

I turned around to head back inside but Blair's next words halted me in my steps.

"We've got an assignment."

Oh, fuck me. Just what I needed.

I turned back around and met their unwavering gazes with a glare.

"Hayes is calling everyone back in for the job." She paused and looked me straight in the eye. "Including you."

"No," I argued back, my tone slightly cracking. "Too soon."

I stormed back inside the house as the gravity of the situation weighed down on me. Their heavy footfalls echoed from the back but I didn't turn around.

I walked straight up to my fridge, grabbed a bottle of beer from inside, flick off the cap, and chugged down the damn liquid like my life suddenly depended on it.

"It's a rescue op. The governor's daughter is involved." Blair continued.

I swiftly turned around to face them and raised my brow.

"So?"

Blair sighed like she always does when she's trying not to explode because the woman is a fucking time bomb. But I still enjoy pissing her off.

"This is a crucial case, Alec. Whether you like it or not, we're going to Mexico to get that little girl back, safe and sound."

I took a sip from the bottle and set it on the table before leaning against the counter and folding my arms together.

"What's the situation like?"

Martin slowly stepped up while giving me a serious look.

"Kidnapping. By a Mexican crime boss by the name of Emiliano Rodriguez. Hayes demanded that the operation must be kept confidential due to Governor Whitman's request, that nothing gets out to the press. His campaign is running for President and he insisted that nothing must get in the way of that, except, that he needs daily updates about his daughter's situation and he wants her back before the election takes place. Everything is in the file."

As if by magic, he suddenly produced a case file from behind his back and placed it on top of the counter in front of me.

I eyed the file curiously and then stared at them.

"I'm barely on suspension for a year which was listed on my record. I can't get back on the field, not when I-"

The words got trapped in my throat and the memories from my last mission infiltrated my brain. I looked away but I didn't miss the glance they shared between each other.

They were also there when it happened. They knew why I was on suspension anyway, and how hard this was going to be for me.

However, now that we've got another task on our hands, there's no avoiding revisiting the place where it all went down initially. The memories I've been trying to shove into the background are bound to resurface, triggered by the slightest thing.

It's not exactly what I'm in the mood for right now, but my commitment to the job is unwavering. I've already got enough self-loathing, but someone's life is hanging in the balance, and it's my responsibility to find her and bring her back home.

"When are we leaving?" I inquired, reaching for the case file on the table.

"Monday, but Hayes wants a quick strategy meeting at HQ before we hit the road," came the response.

I tuned out Martin's explanation, captivated by the image of the girl staring back at me from the file.

A pretty face, full lips, long hair, and green eyes.

Green has always been my favorite color, but I've never encountered anyone with it in their eyes before. 

It's a captivating sight.

My eyes quickly scanned the details until they landed on her name.

Luna.

Now, that's a pretty name.

She's eighteen, and suddenly, I snapped back to reality as Martin's voice regained clarity in my ears.

I closed the file, rubbed my hand over my face, and clenched my jaw in thought. After mulling over my thoughts for a moment, I turned back to them and gave a determined nod.

"Alright, let's bring the governor's daughter back."